The Wildsee at the foot of the Pizol is one of the most atmospheric mountain lakes in eastern Switzerland – so clear and mirror-still that it seems to double the panorama of the Pizol massif like a lens. What makes it special: despite its remoteness, it lies on a well-marked trail and is reachable without high-alpine experience. The atmosphere in the early morning, when the first sunlight hits the water, is hard to put into words.

The Wildsee is part of the classic Pizol Five Lakes Walk – one of eastern Switzerland's best-known hiking routes, connecting five mountain lakes on a compact circuit. From the Pizol mountain station, the lake is reachable on foot in around 30 minutes. The full five-lake circuit takes around 2.5 to 3 hours and unfolds a sequence of lakes, rock formations and glacier views with no two moments alike.

The Pizol is reachable by cable car from Bad Ragaz. Bad Ragaz is accessible by train from Zurich in around 1 hour. Mountain railway tickets: pizol.com